The Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, will travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this week for a four-day trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Between 3 and 6 May, Senator Gorst’s delegation will meet members of the Emirati Government and business representatives.

The visit is part of an ongoing programme of engagement with the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and will build on work undertaken during previous visits to the Emirates by the Chief Minister, the External Relations Minister and the Treasury Minister. Jersey’s historic bedrock of financial services ties with the UAE has been broadened in recent years to include engagement in other sectors such as agriculture, culture and wildlife conservation.

Senator Gorst said: “The UAE is a valued long-term partner with whom we have a relationship that spans a number of sectors. During this visit, we will be attending meetings with government and industry with a view to further diversifying our engagement in the Emirates and continuing to strengthen our core business of financial services. I and my ministerial colleagues have worked to develop close ties with Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and it is in the long-term interests of the Island that these are maintained.”